Need help with partitions

Joman68 · 09-19-2005, 04:14 PM

Hello, hopefully someone can help me.

I wanted to install Debian Linux to dual boot with WinXp. So i created a partition in ext2 and went to install Debian Linux.

Linux did not install because it could not find the correct SCSI drivers and now i cannot boot into windows or install linux.

I am on KNOPPIX right now and it is the only way i can access my computer. Is there anyway i can delete the new partition i created using KNOPPIX so that windows can boot?

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thank you

Emerson · 09-19-2005, 08:26 PM

The existence of a Linux partition is not your problem. During install your MBR was overwritten, you need to restore it. Use your XP install disk to boot and fixmbr (I think it was fixmbr, search these forums) to rewrite MBR. Alternatively you can use the GAG boot loader to boot your Windows or whatever else you may have there.

asifqaiyum · 09-19-2005, 09:09 PM

Hi,

Last days, the same problem I faced. Just fix your MBR through the fixmbr and your windows will start operating.

Joman68 · 09-20-2005, 05:59 PM

Thanks for replying so quickly, i did what you said to do but windows does not recognize my Hard drives when i go into recovery. Is there another OS i can install to use to boot into windows?

Thanks again

Emerson · 09-20-2005, 06:05 PM

What's wrong with the GAG boot loader I recommended above?

Joman68 · 09-20-2005, 07:03 PM

I do not have a working floppy disk drive...do you have any alternatives?

Emerson · 09-20-2005, 07:40 PM

There is an ISO image for burning CDR.

Joman68 · 09-20-2005, 08:14 PM

thank you so much for your help...i am now back up and running...I used the gag loader's .iso file and burnt it to a cd and i was able to boot onto windows again, thank you so much!!

Emerson · 09-20-2005, 08:20 PM

Glad to hear it. Now you can remove the GAG with that infamous fixmbr command from within Windows if you do not need it any more.

Joman68 · 09-20-2005, 09:57 PM

I have one more question...

I cant remove GAG and i'm not sure how to...the fixmbr doesnt work for me because windows recovery still doesnt recognize my HDD so i cant use that method.

Thanks in Advance

Emerson · 09-21-2005, 05:16 AM

There has been long time since I used Windows. But I think you could boot into Windows and use the fixmbr command from there, if it's not installed with Windows, then you should be able to use it from the recovery disk. You can read the recovery disk when Windows is running, I hope? Just perform a search in your box for fixmbr.
Also you may want to keep GAG for your next venture with Linux. Install GRUB to the Linux partition (not on the MBR), this way GAG will boot GRUB and GRUB will boot Linux.